Smokestack moves to Green Street

Barbara M. Houle SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

Published Thursday November 29, 2012 at 6:00 am

PHOTO/ JOHN FERRARONE

At their new digs on Green Street, Smokestack Urban Barbecue’s chef/partner Peter Rano, left, and co-owner Richard Romaine show off some of the restaurant’s dishes: New Orleans beignets with a chocolate dipping sauce, left, and a rack of baby-back ribs with a cucumber salad, apple slaw and corn bread.

Diners may wonder why Smokestack Urban Barbecue’s owner Richard Romaine relocated his restaurant to 139 Green St., Worcester, after only two years in business at 90 Harding St., Worcester.

The short version of the story is that Romaine “couldn’t work out a deal with the current landlord.” One of the issues was a substantial rent increase, he said.

Smokestack Urban Barbecue is now in the building that once housed Block Five. Niche Hospitality Group operated the restaurant and owns the property.

“I like what has been done to Green Street, and our new location is not that far from where we were,” said Romaine. “Smokestack developed a following, and I think we are in a better place. The restaurant is small, but cozier.”

Parking is in two small lots near the restaurant and on-street, according to Romaine.

Peter Rano is the new chef/partner at Smokestack Urban Barbecue. He formerly worked as executive chef at Joey’s Bar & Grill in Worcester.

Bonny Dairymple has been a partner in Smokestack Urban Barbecue since it opened. She works in the business and also has been general manager at Romaine’s Wood Grill & Bar, 299 W. Main St., Northboro, owned and operated by Romaine and his wife, Erin.

Romaine said he and Rano will be “testing the waters” with new menu items in the near future. “We did a research and development trip to New York City to take a look at what some of the restaurants are dishing out. It’s unbelievable how many barbecue places there are,” said Romaine.

Smokestack Urban Barbecue is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; noon to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. The bar remains open until midnight Thursday through Saturday. The restaurant accepts reservations for parties of six or more. Call (508) 363-1111; www.bbqstack.com.

Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge has partnered with Audio Journal’s Radio-Active Theatre Troupe to present “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.”

The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Visitor Center Theater at the village.

Cost is $20 per person, $18 for OSV members.

If you want to have dinner before the performance, reserve at the Oliver Wight Tavern at OSV. Call (508) 347-0363. Reservations begin at 4 p.m.

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“Wine Down Wednesdays” have been introduced at The People’s Kitchen and The Citizen in Worcester.

A three-course prix-fixe menu with wine pairings is $35 per person.

The regular menu at TPK also is available to diners.

Call (508) 459-9090 for more info.

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If you’re looking for a new cookie recipe to share during the holiday season, try White Chocolate Kissed Gingerbread Cookies from the McCormick Kitchens. McCormick’s staff has revisited some favorite holiday baking recipes and added fun, new takes.